You are not your label.

Today we had an AMAZING service at church, let me start this post off with this- if you are in the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg and surrounding areas and looking for a phenomenal home church check out Crosspointe Church! Plan a visit!

So today we continued on our Christmas series which has been great, but todays topic of labels really, really sank in a bit for me. We all one way or another carry a "label" whether is positive or negative, one we have acquired by others or given to ourselves, we have one. Labels can be a nice thing to have when they are bringing our positive traits to the forefront of peoples minds. Cheerful, appreciative, friendly.. there are so many you could name off.  I've never met anyone who didn't like being known as something uplifting or positive. Its the negative ones though that I am going to touch on in this post. The negative ones that are hard to talk about, that hold us back from things. Things like, trying something new, reaching out to new people, a relationship with God.

Trust me when I tell you, I have been there. I have labeled myself as so many things. I wont give you the list, but just know- if this is something you have done or do, you are not alone. We have to learn how to rip these labels off! If you feel you are unworthy of a relationship with Jesus because of your past, let me tell you right now- you are so wrong. I know it can be hard to fathom that God could love someone with a rocky past but let me remind you of something- WE ALL FALL SHORT OF GODS GLORY. We could never measure up to the perfectness of our Savior. Never. Stop letting your "label" decide whether or not you are worthy. Because you are. You are worthy of love. Happiness. Forgiveness.

We all have a past. We all have something we have done that does not sit well with us. We all have something we may be dwelling on and not proud of. BUT. We are all so lucky to have a forgiving God. A god who cares more about walking with you in your FUTURE than dwelling on the mistakes of your past. You don't have to be cleansed of your past to walk in faith, you just need to believe and accept the love of Jesus Christ.

My husband and I were talking months ago once we started to attend church regularly. He was telling me how it was hard for him sometimes to be close to God because of his job. He is a soldier. He asked me, how could God forgive him for things he may need to do when at war? How could he really lean into his faith knowing the things he is trained to do to others? That he kept his relationship with God reserved because he would not be forgiven, basically.
I didn't have an answer for him, all I could do was pray and ask God to show him understanding and to guide him . Today listening to this sermon, it clicked.
My husbands label is "SOLDIER". There are many hard things he must do to ensure he gets himself and troop home safe. He has a job where he has to do things that go against the bible and God's word. His job though does not label him in God's eyes, when his day comes he can repent just the way we all can. His label does not hold him back from a relationship with Jesus.

If you are a just now finding your faith, if you are struggling with your past, I urge you to read this passage and always, always remember it.

Romans 3:23 

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

I Surrender | Living with a Threenager and "Terrible Two" Year Old

Y’all- I have the best kids, ever. They are compassionate to others, caring, have amazing manners for their age, CUTE but don’t let that stuff fool you, they. are. crazy!

I am home all day, every day, with my two toddler girls. Kyler is three and Charlee is two. You’d think it would be a smooth, simple task. That they would keep one another busy playing, watching their favorite princess movies, dress up, ya know all the normal things toddlers SHOULD do. Nope. Not these girls.


I am proud to be raising kinda independent young girls. I say kinda because they do rely on me for many things like food for survival and ensuring they wipe their butt properly after using the bathroom. But I think I get independent and headstrong confused when it comes to these two.

Before I became a mother I never knew how quickly I could be mentally over ran by toddlers. Physically at times too! They are master minuplulators, extremist, ticking emotional time bombs. And I have TWO of them walking around my home. DAILY! #jesusfixit

My three year old, bless her heart. She keeps me in line. She is my stubborn, older than her years, stern but sweet girl. She will say something so sweet like “mommy, you are the best mommy ever!” (Seriously, her exact words one time. #swoon) but then whip back at me with “you are so mean!” as hot tears run down her face because I forgot to get her a glass of milk for the seventh time this morning. She does things like color on walls or put eye shadow on our couch but blame her baby sister. Grabs toys out of her sister’s hand but profusely says sorry when she is caught. Has AT LEAST one PMS worthy mental break down a day leaving me wondering for my own sanity.

The two year old, lord help me.  No like for real. Help. This child y’all. She keeps me on my toes. She is tiny and MIGHTY! Not scared of a thing in the world. I used to see articles about children being found outside after wandering out of the home, and judge the parents. Like, how could you not know your kid left the house. Charlee gave me clarity on this. She will walk out of the house to go see the cat next door with no regard to strangers. Run out into the parking lot just because she knows it makes me crazy, and laugh as I chase her. If I ask her to do almost anything she puts her little finger up and request “one second!” She can climb pretty much anything. Walls, backs of couches, counter tops. If you see a news report about a young mother having a heart attack it was me! She demands coffee almost as soon as her eyes open, and lord help me if we are out of creamer that day. (Her version is milk with a splash of coffee cream)



Once you get these two together is a done deal. They will fight. Play. Run around the house. Gang up on me. Demand YouTube slime videos until they eventually pass out on the couch together. These girls are not for the faint of heart. They are hilarious to watch and be around and I am so blessed they are mine. No day is the same, each presents its own challenges and I question my sanity on the regular. They fight, they cry- a lot, they whine, and I contimplate waving the little white flag to surrender. Then I remember, they are looking up at me as an example. I need to teach them things like patience, understanding, and the list goes on. So yeah, they drive me absolutely crazy from day to day, but I cant imagine my life any other way.

A New Name | New Direction

Dogtags Diapers Deliverance

When I started this blog a few months back (Diapers and Dumbbells) my main focus was fitness, and while I am still very active in the gym I found my most popular post were not fitness related. The easiest post for my to write about were personal- mom, babies, faith and military. So after a bit of thought, I decided to take my blog in a new direction. One where its easier for me to write and express what I want without trying to fit a theme. Will there still be fitness related post on this blog, you betcha! Im just simply moving the theme into a different direction. I feel like this is whats best for not only myself but for the people who read my blog, I will be able to reach moms on all levels versus those who are in the fitness community.

If you follow me and notice I took a hiatus, this is why- I was running out of fitness related ideas to keep this blog afloat, but last night in the shower it hit me! (don't most moms get their best thinking done in the shower?!) So here is what to expect in post coming forward.

Sundays- You better PREACH and PRAISE
I have started a new church since I last wrote and it has me all fired up in my faith. I would love to come back here to just unload my love for Jesus and the things I learned in service that morning. As well as post some of my favorite praise music.

Mondays- Military theme
I feel the tittle is pretty obvious, these will be my post to help fellow milso, or talk about whats going on in our Army life adventures.

Tuesday- Toddler Tales
I have a two year old and three year old, Lord help me I feel thats explanation enough. These post will be dedicated to the crazy things my kids do, say or fun ideas for crafts/snacks/ things to keep you from going crazy while raisin' babies.

Wednesday- Work it
Fitness themed post. This can include work outs, fitness clothing, meals. etc.

Thursday- Mommin aint easy.
The struggles of a stay at home mom, or any mom for that matter. Okay, maybe not always struggles- but you get where I am going with this.

Friday- Favorites.
Anything from my favorite food to moment that week.

Saturday- I havent figured Saturday out yet, but we will get there! haha.


So thats what I have planned, if you followed my blog before it will now be called
"Dogtags Diapers Deliverance" so remember that when you are looking for the old forum. I hope you all enjoy what I have in mind for the future and I am excited to be back doing something I enjoy.